CWI Compass Connect - April 20, 2016
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) long-awaited art mural project has been officially unveiled. In a public ceremony on Thursday, April 14, the cover was pulled to reveal the College’s first public piece of art. The event, which was attended by nearly 100 people, took place in the lobby of CWI’s Micron Center for Professional Technical Education. Read the full story.
News Highlights
CWI Seeks Public Comment on New Proposed Trustee Zone
Today, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Board of Trustees reviewed options to comply with a new state law, House Bill 512, which requires Idaho’s community colleges to divide their respective taxing districts into five zones nearly equal in population as practicable. The College’s Geographic Information Systems and Geography Faculty member, Bryan Krouse, presented three options to the Board based on 2010 census data for Ada and Canyon Counties.
The Board unanimously recommended Option A (shown below) as its top consideration for adequate representation of the communities they serve. In this option, each zone has nearly equal populations and both counties have at least one zone located wholly within the boundaries of each county.
CWI’s Board of Trustees would like to gather public feedback on the proposed Trustee Zone for CWI prior to making a decision and submitting to the State Board of Education for final consideration. CWI has set up a Proposed Trustee Zone Web page where the public is welcome to view and download the proposed map and submit comments. Hard copies of the map and comment cards are also available at CWI’s Nampa Campus Academic Building (5500 E. Opportunity Drive, Nampa, Idaho) and the Ada County Campus Pintail Building (1360 S. Eagle Flight Way, Boise, Idaho).
The deadline for receiving comments is Friday, April 29, 2016.
CWI Students Showcase Skills at State Competition
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will send 17 students to compete at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference following a strong showing at the organization’s state competition last weekend (April 7-8). CWI students earned 27 medals at the event; part of which was hosted at the College’s Micron Center for Professional Technical Education in Nampa. Students qualify for nationals by earning a gold medal at the state conference.
CWI students earned gold in 10 different events. One of CWI’s first-place finishes came from the College’s seven-student Quiz Bowl team. CWI also earned three gold medals in both Power Equipment Technology and Welding Fabrication. The College claimed an event sweep in Precision Machining Technology capturing first, second, and third.
The 52nd SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference will be held June 20-24 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Celebrate Basalt Literary Magazine on April 29
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will celebrate the fourth issue of its student-run literary magazine, Basalt, with a launch party on Friday, April 29. The event will feature students reading their original fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Coffee and snacks will be available.
The free public event will take place:
Friday, April 29
7 p.m.
Hyde Perk Coffee
1507 N. 13th St., Boise
Copies of Basalt's fourth issue will be available for purchase.
Inaugural CWI Connections Event Set for April
On Friday, April 29, College of Western Idaho (CWI) will celebrate student projects with the first CWI Connections Project event. The day will feature CWI students presenting research, class work, and projects from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Nampa Campus Academic Building. There will also be community dance performances, live music, food, and the Presidential Writing Awards Ceremony. Connections Project Awards will be given out at the end of the event.
Please support students and help choose the winners by participating in the judging process. Contact jenicadraney@cwi.edu with any questions or for more information about the event.
Nursing Program Ceremony Set for May 5
On Thursday, May 5, College of Western Idaho (CWI) will formally recognize its newest Nursing program graduates at CWI’s annual Nursing Pinning Ceremony. The program will celebrate the class of 2016 at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center located at 1055 N. Curtis Road in Boise. The ceremony will be held in the McCleary Auditorium at 7 p.m.
CWI Supports Hispanic Healthcare and Technology Conference
College of Western Idaho (CWI) co-sponsored the third annual Hispanic Healthcare Careers Conference + Technology event that was held on April 2 at The College of Idaho. The conference provided a chance for local Hispanic high school students to learn about careers in health and technology as well as connect with mentors. As part of CWI’s participation the College presented Esmeralda Esquivel, a senior at Caldwell High School, with a $1000 scholarship. The scholarship is for the 2016 fall semester at CWI.
Business of Healthcare Symposium
Over 250 seats were filled during the “Business of Healthcare” symposium that was presented in partnership by the Exercise and Health Science Department and the Entrepreneurs and Business Club at College of Western Idaho (CWI) on Friday, April 8.
“This was a great opportunity for our business students to see how hospitals, private practices, and insurance companies operate in the Treasure Valley,” said Shelly Moore, Chair of the Business Department.
The symposium brought together CEOs from St. Alphonsus and West Valley Medical Center, a Director from Regence Blue Shield of Idaho, specialists from Intermountain Healthcare and PT180, and a member of the board of Your Health Idaho (Idaho’s Health Exchange) and former general surgeon with Treasure Valley Hospital.
“It’s important for our healthcare students to understand how much they can gain from preventive care, physical therapy, and other opportunities to improve their health, as well as to see job opportunities in this field,” said Tim Curry, Faculty Member of the Exercise and Health Sciences Department at CWI.
Students attended several sessions where they discussed the challenges and impacts of healthcare delivery, insurance, and preventive care for businesses and their employees. The symposium follows last year’s “Business of Sports” symposium held by the Exercise and Health Science Department and supported by the Business Department.
Davis Honored with April Faculty Award
Jeff Davis has been selected as College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of Distinction for April.
Davis began teaching at CWI in January of 2013 as an adjunct and was hired as a full-time instructor at the end of that semester. In addition to teaching at CWI, he advises the Music Club, serves on several committees and represents the Visual and Performing Arts department on Faculty Senate. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in Composition from Pacific Lutheran University and his master’s and doctoral degrees in Choral Music Education from Arizona State University.
He was nominated by a student, who had (in part) the following to say about Davis and his class: “Music Appreciation is by far my favorite class at CWI because everyone is comfortable enough to mingle and collaborate with different theories and opinions. No one is afraid of speaking their mind because he has turned his classroom into a 'safe room’. In March the Serenata Orchestra played at Borah High School, and he and the CWI chamber choir performed with the orchestra. I feel like he will inspire future students to get involved with the community whether its music related or not. He has opened my mind to experiencing the love of other cultures through their music, and now I have even more music to discover and share. Dr. Davis has made a major influence in my life and I will never be able to thank him for all of the knowledge and lessons he has blessed me with”.
Davis is an active church musician, currently serving a church in Boise as Director of Music. He also enjoys collecting interesting musical instruments, many of which are on display in his cubicle. Please join in congratulating Jeff for this well-deserved honor.
Faculty, staff, students, and administrators are encouraged to share nominations for CWI’s Faculty of Distinction. Nominations can be submitted through the You Rock form.
Renee Watson - April 2016 Staff of the Month
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is happy to recognize Renee Watson as CWI’s Staff of the Month recipient for April.
Renee Watson has contributed to the CWI team as the Accounts Payable Coordinator beginning August 25, 2014. With 25 years of accounting experience in most areas of accounting and many years as a controller of numerous businesses, Renee is uniquely qualified to add value to our CWI family across many disciplines.
Watson is a good example of “Innovating for the 21st Century” and “Serving in an atmosphere of caring”. Her nomination notes “I have had the opportunity to work very closely with Renee since she joined CWI in Finance. She has totally helped improve the processes for approvals and making life so much easier on the admins. Her TAT has been exceptional. She is very responsive to emails and phone calls and just gets things moving and done. She gets back to you very timely on any questions. She has been a great representation for the new and improved Finance department. It has been such a refreshing change and has helped my desk run smoother and more efficiently. I know the other AA Admins feel the same way. Big kudos to her!!!” In addition, other notes made about her are: “Renee has always been helpful and responds in a timely manner with any purchasing questions I might have.”
Renee finds rich fulfillment in her family. She and her husband have eight children and their fifteenth grandchild is on its way! Renee is happiest when she is with her family, working in her garden or with her chickens and bees and spending time traveling the world with her husband. Her favorite thing to do, however, is to go fishing in Alaska!
Please join in congratulating Renee.
Honorable Mentions for Staff of the Month:
- Courtney B. Smith
- Pamela Johnston
Skate for Student Scholarships
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is asking the community to support student scholarships this month by participating in a fun evening at the Nampa Rollerdrome. CWI invites employees, students, and the public to join the first-ever Skate Night FUNraiser on Thursday, April 21. This family-friendly event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m.
The Rollerdrome charges $5 for admission and $2 for skate rentals. During the FUNraiser event, for each skater, the rink will donate $1 or $2 (see below) back to the CWI Foundation's Student Scholarship Fund.
Skaters Amount raised for each skater
25-99 $1 back for each paid admission
100+ $2 back for each paid admission
